Directions

In a large bowl, combine the wine, brandy, orange juice, and sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves. Add the orange, lemon, and lime slices, the apples and refrigerate until well chilled, about 1 hour. Remove from the refrigerator and add the soda. Serve in glasses over ice.

Directions

Line 2 large jellyroll pans with aluminum foil. Place the salmon in each pan skin side down.

In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar, lemon juice, oyster sauce, fish sauce, sesame oil, chili paste, scallions, garlic and ginger. Pour one-third of the soy sauce mixture over the salmon fillet. Sprinkle the panko evenly over the fillet. Pour the rest of the soy sauce mixture evenly over the panko. Be sure to soak the panko completely and if any run off, spoon them back onto the salmon. Set aside for 15 minutes leaving all the sauce in the pan.

Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 500 degrees. Roast the salmon for 18 to 20 minutes, or for about 12 minutes per inch at the thickest part of the salmon. The internal temperature should be 120 degrees on a meat thermometer when it is done. Remove from the oven, wrap tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature. Serves about 18 to 20 depending on portion size.

Pair With: 2012 Sextant Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands

Serves 2 with leftovers. Glaze adapted from Spice Lines

Ingredients:

2 duck breasts, about 12 to 16 ounces total
(split into two pieces if sold still joined by the skin, as pictured)

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (or pomegranate syrup)

2 tablespoons white vermouth

1 large orange, juiced (about 1/4 cup)

1 tablespoon honey

1 cinnamon stick

4 whole cloves

1/8 teaspoon cardamom

Directions:

Heat the oven to 400°F. Place the duck breasts fat side up on a cutting board and use a small sharp knife to crosshatch them, cutting just through the layer of fat but not into the meat itself. Sprinkle thoroughly with salt and pepper.

Place them fat side down in a large skillet. Turn the heat on to low. Cook the duck breasts over very low heat for 10 to 15 minutes, letting the fat render out. The fat shouldn't spit or flare up; the heat should be low as possible. The goal here is to avoid cooking the duck breasts too much, and just to render off the fat.

While the fat is rendering, mix the pomegranate molasses, vermouth, orange juice, honey, cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes or until it reaches a temperature of 210°F. Turn off the heat and set aside.

When the fat on the duck breasts looks cooked through and crisp, turn off the heat and remove the duck breasts. Carefully pour off all the liquid fat into a bowl, cover and refrigerate.

Return the duck breasts to the pan, fat side up now, and brush lightly with the pomegranate syrup. Put the pan in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches your goal. If you prefer to cook to USDA standards, then cook to 160°F.

Remove the duck breasts from the oven, place on a cutting board, and tent with foil to rest for a few minutes. Brush again with the glaze (rewarm the glaze if necessary) and slice very thinly. Serve immediately.

Directions

In a mortar or molcajete, add the garlic, onions, and shishito peppers. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and grind it with the pestle until it becomes like a coarse-looking paste. If you don't have a mortar or molcajete, you could roughly chop in an electric mini chopper as well. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl.

Add the remaining ingredients, minus the steak. Stir well to combine and taste for salt. Transfer the steak to a heavy plastic storage bag. Pour the marinade over the beef, seal bag and marinate for at least 6 hours.

When ready to cook, remove the steak from the refrigerator about 30 to 40 minutes before cooking. Drain off all the marinade and transfer steak to a plate.

Preheat heat your grill to medium/high heat while the steaks comes to room temperature. Cook the steak on the direct heat for 5 minutes per side. Move to cooler side of the grill and continue cooking for another 5 to 6 minutes. Remove beef from the grill and let it rest for 5 to 6 minutes before slicing. Always slice against the grain for a tender cut. It's best to keep a meat thermometer on hand to reach the desired temperature. Steak doneness: rare 130 to 135 degrees F., medium rare 140 degrees, medium 155 degrees, well done 165 degrees.

Bake at 400° for 40 to 45 minutes or until tender with a slight caramelized crisp. Let slightly cool (about 8 minutes).

Meanwhile, whisk together dressing and next 3 ingredients. Place vegetables in a large bowl, and drizzle with desired amount of dressing; toss gently to coat. Serve at room temperature or chilled over arugula with any remaining dressing. Cheers!

Pairs with 2012 Tannat

Cranberry Citrus Chutney

12 ounces fresh cranberries

1 1/2 cups Extra Fine Granulated Sugar

1/2 cup red wine

1 orange, zested and quartered

1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped

Salt/pepper

Directions

Into a heavy bottom sauce pan add: cranberries, sugar, wine, orange zest, vanilla bean and seeds. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 orange quarters. Cook over medium-low heat until cranberries begin to soften and lose their shape and sugar has dissolved. Approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool before serving. Garnish with additional orange zest if desired.

Lamb Chops

4 6-ounce double lamb chop (use a chop from loin end of rack)

Kosher salt, for seasoning

2 tablespoons maple chili glaze

2 teaspoons maple chili glaze (reserve glaze after broiling)

2 cups mizuna lettuce

Directions

Season the lamb chops with kosher salt and chili glaze prior to placing under the broiler. Broil the lamb chops to the desired temperature. Toss mizuna with 2 teaspoons of Cranberry Citrus Chutney and place on plates. Plate the two lamb chops over the mizuna; serve the first lamb chop with 1 tablespoon of the cranberry citrus chutney as garnish.

Chef Tip: Cut lamb chops from the loin end of the rack - lamb chops will cook quickly (3-4 minutes per side for medium rare)

Preperation

In 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat, heat ½-inch canola oil until hot. Carefully spoon crab mixture by rounded tablespoonfuls into hot oil, flattening slightly with spoon. Cook fritters about 2 minutes on each side until golden brown and crisp. Remove from skillet and place on paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining batter.

Directions

In a food processor combine all ingredients except the oil. Pour oil into the pusher tub and combine until all the oil is gone. Dressing should be made a day ahead to have maximum flavor. Makes 1 cup and keeps in fridge for about 3 weeks.

Directions

Wash fruits and vegetables and dry. Prepare peaches, red onion, and cucumber. Set aside. Put arugula in a large bowl and toss sparingly with vinaigrette. Brush peaches with vinaigrette so they will not turn brown.

Place about 1 heaping cup of tossed arugula in the center of a salad plate. Scatter a small amount of red onion, cucumber slices, and then peaches. Dot with goat cheese and then almonds. Drizzle with about a Tablespoon of dressing. Serve immediately. You may also platter salad attractively and let guests help themselves. Serves 8. You will have vinaigrette left over. It should be stored in fridge and will keep fresh for about 3 weeks.

Directions

Let pizza dough sit at room temperature for at least an hour. Slice onions and then put olive oil and butter in a large fry pan and heat until melted. Stir in onions over medium heat and sauté over low heat for about 25 minutes. When onions are tender and balsamic and brown sugar, stirring over low heat until blended. Set aside. These may be done ahead, stored in fridge or frozen!

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. On a lightly floured surface roll dough into a rectangle, making sure it is not a perfect rectangle, of course. Line a baking sheet with foil and scatter a bit of cornmeal on it. Transfer flatbread dough onto your prepared sheet and begin by adding your caramelized onions, sliced pears, and gorgonzola on top of flatbread dough. Put in oven and bake for about 20 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and it looks incredible. Place arugula on top of flatbread, gently pressing it into the flatbread. Remove, cut into pieces and serve. Serves 6 to 8.

California Goat Cheese, Wild Mushroom, Fresh Thyme Flatbread

Ingredients

1 favorite pizza dough

12 ounces favorite combination of mushrooms, thinly sliced

1 sweet yellow onion, finely minced

1 TBLSP. olive oil

1 TBLSP. butter

2 TBLSP. fresh thyme

10 ounces of California Goat cheese, crumbled

Directions

In a large fry pan add oil and butter and heat to medium. Add sliced mushrooms and onion and sauté for about 5 minutes and then add fresh thyme leaves. Continue to cook until mushrooms are tender. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside to cool.

Prepare dough the same way as the other flatbread, laying it on a prepared baking sheet with cornmeal scattered on top. Scatter cooked mushrooms and onion on top of flatbread and then dot with crumbled goat cheese. Bake for about 18 minutes and remove from oven when flatbread looks golden. Cut into pieces. Serves 6 to 8. *You may also add some lemon zest on top of cheese before baking, if you like.

Dear Wine Club Members,

With fall upon us once more, we are eager to welcome the fruits of harvest. Here at Sextant, we are excited to say that September also means it's time for the second Wine Club shipment of the year! Your fall shipment will include four bottles for our Captain level members, and three for our First Mates. In this shipment, we've packed newly bottled vintages, exclusively available to our valued members.

Payment Card Update:

Please ensure that your payment card information, and your billing and shipping addresses are up-to-date by logging into your account on our website. In order to receive your club shipment in a timely fashion, please verify this information by Monday, August 19th.

Important Dates:

Shipping Date - Shipping dates for CA, NV and AZ is September 3rd. All remaining states will ship September 9th (weather permitting in all states)

30/30 - Ends at Midnight on September 30th

Pick-Up Period - September 1st - September 30th

After September 30th, all remaining shipments will be sent to the shipping address on file during the week of October 7th. The payment card you’ve provided will be charged an applicable shipping cost. If you wish for your shipment to be held and combined with your November shipment, a $5 fee for storage will be added and billed appropriately.

30/30 Discount Period

Don't miss out on an incredible opportunity to purchase all of the wines in the fall shipment at 30% off the standard retail price. This special offer is available to you for just 30 days, between September 1st and September 30th. We encourage you to take advantage of this remarkable rate while time permits! Remember, the holidays are just around the corner! Please contact Elyse Goodwin or Megan Holst for ordering at 805-542-0133 or concierge@sextantwines.com.